big done. the president has made it clear he wants to do something substantial. >> reporter: if in fact, capitol hill sources tell abc news the esident and speaker john boehner are again talking about more than $4 trillion in deficit reduction. boehner reportedly wants the president to lay out specific cuts to entitlement programs, social security, medicare and medicaid. but many republicans still doubt such a plan can pass. so, plan "b." to avert the country from defaulting is being devised by the two leaders of the senate. it would give the president the authority to raise the country's debt ceiling on his own. >> it takes the pressure off all the politicians but allows us to pass a debt limit without making the hard choices that this country has to make. >> reporter: the standoff? republican eric cantor refuses to consider tax increases. democrat nancy pelosi won't accept benefit cuts to entitlements. we visited cantor's virginia district. many want him to back down but not all. >> they need